A BATTLE between warring members of one of Brighouse’s largest members’ clubs is set to take a decisive step next week when the parties meet in court.

The dispute began four years ago when a proposal was put forward to sell Blakeborough Social Club’s Albion Bowling Club in Halifax Road.

The idea was to raise a much-needed £225,000 to secure the main Bradford Road club’s future and ease financial pressures, but immediately triggered a rift as bowling club members offered £60,000.

That difference of opinion was just the start as allegations of mismanagement were made against members of the Social Club committee and a police investigation was launched into fraud and theft claims.

Two investigations were carried out but it was decided no evidence of criminal activity could be substantiated though doubts were cast on the way the Bradford Road club was run.

Now after many county court hearings a four-day hearing is due to start on Tuesday in the Chancery Division, Leeds.

Legal costs look set to run into tens of thousands of pounds alone.

Andy Speechley, an inventor, who represents the bowling club faction and is the main claimant in the matter, said: “We are claiming that the committee have not observed the club’s rules for several years, made no statutory returns and no audited accounts.

“In addition people have been expelled from the club for not following the proper procedures.

“We are also alleging that money has been taken out of the club to pay salaries to members in a way that they were not entitled to do.

“Basically, what we are saying is that the people concerned refused to follow the club’s rules.

“I feel passionately about saving the bowling club.”

But Social Club secretary, Joe Bunni, said: “It has come to the stage where we will have to wait and see what the court says. Hopefully that will finalise everything. I do hope so. What has happened has been very depressing and is destroying the club. It has not been open now for 18 months.

“I hope the club can reopen once this is all out of the way and that customers will come back.”

Social club president Rod Allott said: “I don’t want to discuss anything until the court action goes ahead on Tuesday.”

Paul French, a former Social Club committee member, said: “I have been a member for a good few years now and all this has been going on for far too long.

“To be quite honest I have given up on it all although if it does reopen I would be interested in going in again”.